New Landlord Register Confirmed – What Landlords Need to Know

Landlords across England are facing another important change under the Renters’ Rights reforms, with the Government confirming that its new ‘Register your rental property’ service will begin rolling out from 15 December 2026.

The new national register will eventually become a legal requirement for landlords across England and is designed to create a central record of landlords, rental properties and key compliance information.

For landlords in Keighley, Haworth, Oakworth, Silsden, Bingley and the surrounding Aire and Worth Valley areas, there is a little more time to prepare, as Yorkshire and the Humber is currently scheduled to enter the registration process from 15 April 2027, with landlords given until 14 July 2027 to complete registration.

How will the new landlord register work?

The scheme will be introduced gradually across England rather than requiring every landlord to register at the same time.

It starts in the West Midlands on 15 December 2026 before moving through different regions during 2027. Once registration opens in a particular region, landlords will normally have a three-month window in which to register their affected properties.

Registration will be a legal requirement, and landlords who fail to register their properties could face financial penalties. All landlords actively letting property in England are expected to be registered by 14 November 2027.

How much will it cost?

The registration fee has been set at £65 per property per year, meaning landlords with more than one rental property will need to pay separately for each property they register.

Registration will also need to be renewed annually.

For example, a landlord with three rental properties would therefore pay £195 per year based on the current fee.

What information will landlords need to provide?

Although further practical guidance is expected as the launch approaches, landlords should be prepared to provide a fairly comprehensive amount of information about both themselves and their rental property.

This is expected to include:

Landlord contact and identification details
The rental property's address, ownership details and number of bedrooms
Details of the number of occupants and households living at the property
The rent being charged and how frequently it is paid
Information about whether utilities are included within the rent
Details of any HMO, additional or selective licence that applies
Current Gas Safety information where applicable
Electrical safety information
Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) details
Information about any managing agent or property manager involved

Landlords are therefore likely to find the process considerably easier if their compliance documents and property records are already organised and up to date.

Can your letting agent register for you?

This is an important distinction.

Where a property is professionally managed, letting agents and property managers are expected to be able to assist with supplying certain information and documentation.

However, under the current proposals, the landlord remains responsible for starting and completing the registration process themselves.

In other words, using a managing agent does not transfer the legal responsibility for registration away from the landlord, although your agent may be able to make parts of the process considerably easier by ensuring the necessary property and compliance information is readily available.

What about empty rental properties?

Initially, the requirement applies to properties that are already let or which become occupied during the regional rollout.

The Government has confirmed that, at a later stage, the rules will be extended so that properties will also need to be registered before they are advertised to let.

Once that part of the system is introduced, landlords and letting agents will also be required to include the relevant registration details within property advertisements.

What should landlords do now?

There is no need for landlords in West Yorkshire to register immediately, but there is plenty that can be done in advance.

This is a good opportunity to check that your property records are complete and that important compliance documents such as your EPC, Gas Safety Certificate and Electrical Installation Condition Report (EICR) are current and easily accessible.

Landlords should also make sure they have accurate tenancy information, rent details and any relevant licensing documentation relating to their property.

With the Renters’ Rights reforms already bringing significant changes to the private rented sector, good record keeping and staying ahead of compliance requirements is becoming increasingly important.

Yorkshire landlords have until July 2027

Under the currently published timetable, registration for properties in Yorkshire and the Humber opens on 15 April 2027 and must be completed by 14 July 2027.

Although that may seem some way off, we would encourage landlords not to leave preparation until the last minute. The more organised your property and compliance records are, the more straightforward the registration process should be.

Need help managing your rental property?

The regulatory responsibilities placed on landlords have increased considerably in recent years, and the introduction of the national landlord register is another compliance requirement to add to the list.

At Davies Properties, we work with landlords throughout Keighley and the surrounding villages, helping with everything from finding and referencing tenants through to ongoing property management, inspections and compliance administration.

If you are an existing landlord who is finding the changing regulations increasingly difficult to keep on top of, or you are considering letting a property for the first time, we would be happy to have an informal chat about how we can help.

Contact Davies Properties on 01535 872 018 to speak to our lettings team.

Information correct at the time of publication. Further Government guidance is expected as the registration service is introduced and landlords should always check the latest requirements applicable to their property.